Geoffrey

Looks like MSNBC handled this as most of us expected: Alicia was back tonight and addressed the issue at the top saying that she would not be covering the story:

I believe it's more dependent on when the station group provides the finished graphics. There is some implementation on the station level, but the graphics hubs have to finish putting with all of the localization.

Here's the schedule of what aired today from what I saw: 8am: CNN Newsroom with Fredricka Whitfield 10am: CNN Newsroom with Rahel Solomon 11am: State of the Race with Kasie Hunt (CNN International) Noon: One World with Zain Asher and Bianna Golodryga (CNN International) 1pm: Amanpour (CNN International) 2pm: Newsroom with Jim Sciutto 3pm: Quest Means Business (CNN International) And then at 4pm, it became a simulcast of CNN/U.S. with The Lead, The Situation Room, etc. (all of which also airs on CNN International). So, not a ton of original content, but nice for American viewers to see more CNN International. I guess I'm curious what the logic is for a few hours of CNN Max-exclusive newscasts and not just putting the entire U.S. or International feed on there. Or maybe the simulcasts are a placeholder until they launch more original shows. They are calling it a beta product for now. As for the "no commercials" promise mentioned yesterday, the Max-exclusive shows took a few short promo breaks. I'm just realizing that the background behind Fredricka is CNN's D.C. studio used for Inside Politics, The Lead, etc, just with an Atlanta skyline. Rahel had the same backdrop but with NY in there. Jim Sciutto was in front of an actual window overlooking the Capitol. (I thought it was the usual flashcam-monitor setup but it's not. Just now remembering that they used to have a small set featuring part of that window there. Now it looks like just a window.)

CNN Max has launched. "CNN Newsroom" is currently on, using the CNN International look. Nice seeing Fredricka Whitfield, who very rarely shows up on CNN outside of weekends.

Jim Sciutto signed off from CNN News Central today. Tomorrow comes the beta launch of CNN Max, which will be part of Max (formerly HBO Max). They said on TV that CNN Max won't have commercial breaks, so I'm curious how they're going to incorporate the shows that already exist. (Will they air live but have slideshow-like content covering up the ads? Will they air later with the breaks cut out and be shorter?) Also curious how similar or different it will be from CNN+, which had shows that lasted maybe 20-40 minutes and then replayed to fill out the hour until the next show began. I had a feeling Chris Licht's three-anchor broadcasts might not be long for TV. CNN This Morning is of course down to two, and it sounds like the afternoon DC edition of News Central may be joining that. Haven't heard of any changes coming to the morning NY edition yet (but could easily have missed something). In other post-Chris Licht news, I've noticed that the "BREAKING NEWS" tab is again being used rather liberally. Below is one example from today. This was a very good interview and I recommend everyone watch it, but book interviews generally aren't breaking. (Also, did the font on the ticker become less bold or is it just me?)

I don't think it's necessary for MSNBC's anchors and reporters to mention the fact that one of their colleagues is related to a figure in the news for corruption. But I think it would be necessary for her to mention that at the top of her show as a reason why she is not covering one of the week's big stories. I think it's unfair to punish or sideline Alicia for her father's troubles, but perhaps it would be good to have her skip this weekend.

Another News 12 Long Island veteran has left the station. Virginia Huie was there for 17 years. https://www.facebook.com/huie12/posts/pfbid028d65nJxCn12uWns2ETrUx5o1jjZzc4mfaRVD11597Zz1adXZ3Hqnss2jNcWv5E8Hl?__cft__[0]=AZXdj605ou5nJYxGcrw_FNL5TbVTQsIV4JD-h1lxcfUbyqh78A_0o2lz9I8CQ_ek-elSWxc9lRjPjD0Gc20_hgpw3EL4y_0as4Ph34VPdkTkWzRNQYWftvrVB2qeIGhPJ4YYzoltRaNAzYHAgTWVyIP-aavWV0xe6d9EC1WMBvdYh8NC_UhPN7PhQ5jEUB_k_Hs&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

This is the first time I've noticed family/personal photos being used for a newscast's talent open. (Not trying to turn this thread into a list...)

I agree with your overall point, but just wanted to clarify that an hour of television is not just one hour of work for producers, writers and anyone else involved in it.

CNN This Morning moved back into the old New Day studio this morning (the one with the brick loft look), with an updated background skyline montage that still incorporates America coast to coast but is bluer and brighter. When the show launched in November, they were said to be in a temporary studio (originally for CNN+) and that a brand new studio was in the works. Guess not? Yesterday Today Looks like the family photos didn't make the move with the show.

CBS 2 updated their 9/11 ceremony graphics this year to match their new look. (Once again, they are VERY large.) Interestingly, they used the CBS 2 black square logo and not the CBS News New York one.

Strange but WNBC briefly cut away from the National Anthem at Ground Zero to take NBC's special report about the ceremonies this morning. Lasted probably about 30-45 seconds. Wonder if it was automated (didn't seem so as the beginning of the open was cut off) or if a master control operator saw a special report coming down and instinctively pushed the button.

Looks better today with the ticker included (even if it looks off by about a pixel).

I think the only time you see a curve on the bug (top left) is when it sits alone -- no lower-third, no live.